The Maple Leafs need to get things back on track a bit after going 2-5 their last 7 games, 6 of which were at home. Unfortunately for Toronto they try to ‘get right’ in one of the toughest places for the road team to get a win taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. TB is 19-4 at home this year.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto is still alive in this thing, actually they’re doing pretty well as the 4th seed in the East. Even so, the two game losing streak and going on the road for just the second time in 2019 are a bit of a concern.

It’s been defense that is the major issue for the Leafs lately. In the last 7 games, Toronto has allowed 4+ goals in four of them. Thursday’s starter Frederik Andersen is 3-2-1 over his last 6, but he’s allowed 7 goals total his last two starts. That doesn’t bode well traveling to take on Tampa Bay’s #1 offense.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Oddsmakers are expecting a bevy of goals tonight as the O/U is listed as 6.5. Tampa Bay’s offense hasn’t been as dominant as you’d think, being held to 2 goals or less in 4 of the last 8 however. They’ve scored just 3 goals the last two games but overall still boast an 8-2 record over their last 10.

The reason Tampa Bay hasn’t needed to score a lot to get wins is because the play of their defense, specifically Andrei Vasilevskiy in net. He’s 19-5-2 on the year and has held 3 of the last 4 opponents to a goal or less.

NHL Betting Trends:

Maple Leafs are 10-1 their last 11 on 2 days rest

Maple Leafs are 2-5 their last 7 overall

Lightning are 56-20 their last 76 home games

Maple Leafs are 2-8 their last 10 in Tampa Bay

Maple Leafs are 1-5 the last 6 meetings

Free Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning NHL Prediction:

Toronto isn’t playing great hockey right now and a visit to the top team in the Eastern Conference isn’t exactly good for business. The Maple Leafs have had their issues with Tampa as a whole and would’ve really liked some positive momentum coming into this one.

Tampa Bay’s offense may be up-and-down a bit, but they still have a top goaltender in net and the advantage of being at home. The price on the Lightning isn’t completely horrible on Thursday.

About Carl Taylor

Carl “End Game” Taylor has been engulfed in the sports betting lifestyle for over 20 years. His gambling defeats early on could've put triplets through an Ivy League education. The positive is that now from those lessons learned he enjoys a much better windfall than a piece of paper from Brown or Harvard. Stay tuned for Carl's daily sports betting picks and winning advice.

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